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[Estrogens, androgens, and osteoporosis in men]
M-C de Vernejoul1, M Cohen Solal
1INSERM U 349 et Fédération de rhumatologie, Hôpital Lariboisière, 2 rue Ambroise Paré. 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France.
Annales D'Endocrinologie
|May 30, 2003
Summary
Estrogen deficiency, not androgen deficiency, causes bone loss in aging males. This highlights the critical role of estrogens in maintaining bone density in men, despite current treatment limitations.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Gerontology
Context:
- Estrogens are synthesized in peripheral tissues from testosterone in males.
- Osteoporosis is observed in males with non-functional estrogen receptors or impaired estrogen synthesis, despite normal androgen levels.
- Aging in males (50-80 years) is associated with decreased free estradiol and free androgen levels.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of estrogen deficiency in bone resorption in aged males.
- To compare the correlation between estrogen and androgen levels with bone density in aging males.
Summary:
- Estrogen deficiency, rather than androgen deficiency, is identified as the primary cause of increased bone resorption in aged males.
- Estrogen levels show a stronger correlation with bone density than androgen levels in elderly men.
- Current therapeutic options for estrogen deficiency in males are limited by side effects.
Impact:
- This research underscores the importance of estrogen in male bone health, challenging the traditional focus on androgens.
- Findings may guide future research into targeted therapies for osteoporosis in aging men.
- Highlights the need for safer treatments for estrogen deficiency in the male population.